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Reviews For: Alpha 99

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Alpha 99
Reviews: 79MSRP: 3850 + shipping
Description:
The Ultimate Value in a linear amplifier - Made in USA
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rkrdesignsllc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00794.9
KS9Y Rating: 2001-11-12
Awesome! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've now owned my Alpha 99 for two weeks. I can't tell you how pleased I am with it. Twenty watts of drive gives me 500 watts on all bands, and of course both the transceiver and amplifier are just loafing along. Fifty watts gives me 1500 watts on all bands and it still doesn't seem to be working hard. Of course I did that in to a dummy load as I don't want my neighbors calling me up. The tune up going from band to band is so simple by the numbers. I can switch bands in a matter of seconds. I've had comments that my on the air audio is just excellent and have been told that I was strongest signal heard in Europe. It's also nice to be first in pileups or first to get on the list. About the only thing I don't like about it is the cooling fans are louder then I would like, but I suppose they have to keep it cool. The price now is $3299 plus shipping, but I think it is definitely worth the money. It will certainly be the last amp I'll ever need.
W4JFB Rating: 2001-10-09
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned three linear amps in my 31 years of ham radio, but the Alpha 99 is by far the best of them all. I had to wait 4 months to receive the amp after the initial order was placed, but as someone said in a previous post - it was worth the wait! I have had the amp operating now for about two weeks and I am totally impressed with three things - it is so quite !! (my dog and my wife now join me in the ham room) - it is extremely easy to tune-up - it loafs at legal output and delivers a very clean signal. The only thing I can kick about is one of the top cover screws was missing when I received it (I just took one out of a non-used piece of gear to substitute for it). This robust amp will be my last I'm sure - all I'll need after this is my white robe and harp.
W3WW Rating: 2001-04-27
Excellent Service & Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
It's back and operates like a dream. What an outstanding amplifier and service to back it up. Got it back in no time flat. That's a pretty dramatic turnaround considering how busy they are filling all the back orders for the 99s.
The amplifier performs to factory specifications, actually better!!! 35 Watts of drive and loafing along at a full 1500W out. Exceptionally clean with absolutely no RFI. Tunes very easily with the LED bar gizmos. Needless to say, I'm VERY well satisfied.
Guess I've got my last amp, unless I buy another 99.
N4GG Rating: 2001-01-14
The best new amp you can get Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Just terrific. Loads easily, puts out a nice clean 1.5Kw and capabile of much more. View it as a life's purchase -- you will never need another amp. Other than the digital interface some folks might require for contesting, I can't imagine why someone would own a solid state amp. For half the price, an Alpha 99 will tune into darn near any load and run full power plus (unlike the barely 1KW the ICOM solid state amp delivers on 28MHz). Knowledgable and friendly service from the Alpha team - the four year warranty is for real.
W9RAC Rating: 2000-10-22
Great Amp. dont miss out! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Easy to tune, great output. I use to run a Ameritron and hated to put out this kind of money jfor a amp but am very glad it did.
W9QX Rating: 2000-09-01
WOW WOW WOW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
ATT ALL REAL HAM RADIO OPPS GET ONE AND YOU WILL SAY WOW! I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY PLUS I ONLY GOT IT YESTERDAY IT IS 1 MONTH OLD I GOT IT FROM MORRIE A GREAT HAM WHO SOLD IT TO ME AFTER ONLY ENJOYING IT FOR 1 MONTH ALTOUGH YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT 6 WEEKS FOR YOURS CALL DIANE AT ALPHA TODAY
TO ORDER YOURS IT WILL BE THE LAST AMP YOU WILL EVER NEED BY THE WAY MORRIE HAS AN 87A AND THE MONEY I PAID MORRIE IS FOR ANOTHER 87A

PAUL W9QX
W4MKM Rating: 2000-08-17
Superb amplifier Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered my 99 in mid-March and received it in mid-July. I don' t usually have
the patience to wait that long for a piece of ham gear, but I am glad now that
I did. It easily pumps out 1500 watts, runs cool, and is a pleasure to operate.
I feel it is a bargain at the price. A top-notch quality amplifier.
W0AWL Rating: 2000-02-23
It's all that I had expected from an Alpha Time Owned: unknown months.
It was a long wait. I placed my order in July, and had to wait as Alpha sorted out several production delays. Some i'm sure were not their doing. While waiting my trusty kwd 922A served me well, but the new Alpha 99 is for real.
N2TU Rating: 2000-01-08
It's an Alpha! Time Owned: unknown months.
Finally my Alpha 99 arrived. I ordered it June '99 but due to various production hold-ups, Alpha delayed shipping. As is Alpha's style, they will not release a product without working out the flaws.

The amp performs to specifications. Easily drives to 1.5KW output with 50-60 watts drive. Even with auxillary fan (option), it is quiet. The "fit and finish" is 100%. Tune up is easy and the metering is super.

The amp comes in two boxes, the transformer and the amp. Assemply is no problem, though the instruction manual neglects to remind the owner to remove the two fan hold down screws in the rear. It is marked on the chassis but not noted in the manual. Also for some reason, Alpha has also delayed sending the 99 owner's manual (they did include the '91B's manual which is essentially the same and a note that they will forward the 99's as soon as they get them.) Why they can't have a manual ready after 7 months of production delay is a mystery!

QSK is rather loud! The relay T/R relay is much louder than my 87A's and Alpha really needs to redesign the relay. Can hear it in the next room. (XYL will send in her own prduct review!)

All in all. it is a super amp...small desk top foot print that will produce 1.5 KW without a sweat. If you can afford the almost $3K, jump on it. I am sure when these things get out in the field, Alpha will realize the demand and up the price.

73 es Happy New Year